Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye, Kenneth Odede & Olumide Olowu
Traditional, political leaders and others in Ikorodu Division have lauded the conduct of the last Local Government Elections across the six councils in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The APC cleared all the six Council Chairmen and 30 Councillorship positions available recording 100% success while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) came in distant second and third positions.
Generally, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) ensured that electoral materials arrived at various polling units on time, there was also adequate security at the voting centres and the processes of voting were seamless as observed by our reporters that went round.
Residents also complied with the no movement directives.
But there was shortage of ballot papers in some polling units as alleged by a few residents, alleged inducements to vote in some areas and despite the numbers of votes recorded at the end of the exercise, the turnout was still low.
Our reporters spoke with some of these stakeholders during and after the conduct of the elections.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, who voted at Surulere in Igbogbo, speaking with reporters commended the election.
The royal father lauded the electoral officials’ diligence and residents’ peaceful conduct during the elections.
Oba Kasali urged the incoming administrations across the division to deliver on their promises and maintain peace in their localities.
Former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, who voted at Solomade, described the process as fine and peaceful.
He actually acknowledged that the turnout was low early on in the day of the exercise while speaking with reporters in his house, but confirmed from the reports that he has been getting as the apex political leader in Ikorodu Division that the election was peaceful and well – organized.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), who also voted in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA also lauded the process and the turnout of voters. The elder statesman voted at Meri/Olowu Junction, Igbogbo.
Speaking to our reporter at his polling unit, he said: “The process has been going well so far and everything seems properly planned.”
Reacting to the low turnout in the morning of the election, Basorun was confident that people were still going to come out to exercise their civic rights.
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, performed his civic duty at 10:34am at his polling unit 011, Otambala in Ikorodu, along with his, wife, Mrs Abiru
Abiru described the elections as a seamless exercise while assessing the conduct of the polls around various polling units across council areas in Ikorodu Division.
He commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for the conduct of the elections and residents of Ikorodu for turning out to take part and conduct themselves peacefully.
“It was a very seamless exercise as we have to give very high kudos to the organizers starting with the LASEIC and all of their staff that are present. We can see the orderliness and even the turnout of people.
“It is very encouraging and we can see that people are very engaged and involved in how the grassroots will continue to transform, so, for me it is very commendable.
Also, the federal lawmaker gave kudos to the security operatives who are ensuring security of property and lives.
“We give kudos to the security operatives as well. We can see orderliness, there’s no rancor around here, people have come out fully to exercise their civic responsibility, and I believe this is how we can continue to deepen democracy. There must be a consciousness and the interest of the people must be very clear and involved In the process.
“Even from the main road leading to this place , we can see there has been a lot of peace and tranquility around the environment and am sure people will feel very safe to come out and vote because everywhere is in order due to the calmness.”
Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who went round after voting at Owode – Ibeshe, commended the turnout and the peaceful nature of the exercise.
“The turnout is very impressive, everybody understands we’re going through interesting times, and hard decisions have been taken by the President. So, we all know that tomorrow will be for prosperity.
“They’ve keyed into the agenda of Mr president. They’ve been patient and they know that there’s a better tomorrow. If you see all the ratings from the World Bank, the IMF and other international institutions, everybody is praising the handling of what Nigeria is going through, but we have to communicate effectively to Nigerians who need to understand that after the rain comes sunshine.
“So far so good. No violence anywhere, turnout is gradually increasing, people are not early risers. I went there a bit early and I didn’t see a lot of people there, but now everywhere is getting populated. So, I feel that Ikorodu will also have a huge turnout in this election,” Rep. Benson said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, who also went round after casting his vote to monitor the situation and encourage people to come out to vote also said that the process was well coordinated and it is free and fair.
He too commended the security agents available at every polling unit for their professionalism .
On his part, the outgoing Chairman of the council, Sesan Daini, also lauded LASIEC, describing the process as fine and encouraging.
“I must also commend the electorate for coming out in their large numbers, likewise the security agencies for maintaining law and order. My expectation is for the APC to record a landslide victory in the 57 councils. This is going to be a litmus test to what Nigerians should expect from Lagos come 2027,” he said.
The former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, in the state, Adebimpe Akinsola, who described their conduct as fantastic, said electoral materials and the ad hoc staff arrived at the polling units in record time and ensured the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.
“It is our expectation that the APC will win this council and other councils in the state. We are also hoping that the total votes in this poll will be higher than what was recorded during the last council poll.
“There was a large turnout of people today to cast their votes, this shows that they are seeing what APC is doing in the state and the country at large and they willingly voted for our party,” she said.
Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), the Chairmanship candidate, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA who voted at polling unit 009, Yewa/Odofin Junction in Igbogbo, also lauded the electoral umpire, describing the poll as credible.
“The people came out in their large numbers to elect who will govern them at the local council level for the next four years. I am sure that the result from this local council will be a landslide victory as the people believe in what APC is doing in the state and the country at large.
“LASIEC’s efforts are very commendable today, though we cannot rule out a few skirmishes, but they displayed the character of a real electoral umpire,” Aroyewun said.
Chairman – elect, Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Adedayo Ladega, speaking with reporters at the home of the former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, after voting on Saturday, described the organization of the election as wonderful.
“I have voted, and it went well. It’s nice people are turning out and it’s a wonderful organization by the LASIEC. They did a very wonderful job. It’s well planned and I am impressed with their job.
“We’ve done the best we can do, people are out to vote and we are expecting nothing but victory.”
Dr. Olanrewaju Oshin, PDP Chairman, Ikorodu LG, speaking with our reporter after the exercise observed some challenges but generally, commended the organization of the election.
“At least, it was peaceful and it has improved a bit from the other elections. Aside from the difficulties that were encountered during the sorting of the lists for the electorate for voting and shortage of voting materials. Those are the difficulties that were encountered apart from that, everything was fine.
“Security wise, everything also improved from the previous years.”
